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O U T P AT I E N T S U R G E R Y M A G A Z I N E O N L I N E | O C T O B E R 2 0 1 5
T
ime is money in the OR. Here are
a few ideas to keep your sched-
ule moving along at a brisk pace.
— Compiled by David Bernard
1. IN THE BAG. You can get pre-op bays
and patients set up a lot faster if you're
able to put your hands on all the linens
you need at a moment's notice, instead of
picking and pulling each item on the list
every time you need it. During downtime
before the day begins or after the sched-
ule's been completed, fold bed sheets,
blankets, gowns and hats into patient
belonging bags. Stock a bunch in the cabi-
net when your laundry service delivers,
and nurses will be able to easily grab one
when readying for the next patient.
2. DILATE FOR THE DRIVE.
It can take longer to dilate patients for eye
surgery than the case itself. Let patients
start the process at home on the day of sur-
gery. Set them up with the drops at their
pre-surgical visit and ask them to self-
administer before their escort drives them
in. They'll arrive fully dilated.
3. BEDSIDE CHECK-IN. Shave a few min-
utes off
your
admissions
and
improve
your first-
case on-
time starts by registering your patients at
bedside. As soon as they arrive at your cen-
ter, give them their wristband and take
INNOVATIVE IDEAS
Mind Your Minutes in the OR
I D E A S T H A T W O R K